10 Militants Killed Waziristan as Pakistan Steps Up Anti-Terror Drive

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Security forces have confirmed that 10 militants killed Waziristan and Hangu during a series of intense operations carried out between September 15 and 17. The clashes come as Pakistan continues its push against India-backed militant networks operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, shared the update on Thursday. Officials said the fighting formed part of an ongoing campaign against groups referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij.

According to the ISPR, troops launched an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan after receiving tips about militant movement in the district. A fierce gun battle followed, and six militants were killed on the spot.

In a separate clash in Hangu district, security forces took down four more fighters. This brought the total number of militants eliminated across both operations to ten.

Weapons, ammunition, and other equipment were recovered from the site, officials confirmed. The military said the slain militants had long histories of involvement in local terror activity.

The same update carried heavier news, too. A roadside bomb struck a military convoy on September 17, killing six soldiers instantly. The ISPR called it a painful loss but said it would not slow down ongoing efforts.

Troops are now combing the affected areas to clear out any remaining threats, a process officials describe as sanitisation operations.

The military reaffirmed that its wider campaign, known as Azm-e-Istehkam, remains in full swing. The initiative was approved earlier by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan framework.

Officials say the goal is simple: root out terrorism that is foreign-funded and foreign-supported, particularly along Pakistan’s western belt.

The ISPR also paid tribute to the fallen troops, saying their sacrifice strengthens the resolve of the armed forces to protect the nation.

This latest violence adds to a troubling pattern. Since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have witnessed a steady rise in militant activity.

A recent report from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) paints a grim picture. During the second quarter of 2026, these two provinces accounted for nearly 96 percent of all violence-linked deaths nationwide.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone recorded 475 deaths, or 61 percent of the total. Balochistan followed with 265 deaths, making up around 34 percent.

In terms of raw incidents, KP again led the count with 151 reported cases, or 57 percent of Pakistan’s total. Balochistan wasn’t far behind, logging 94 incidents.

Analysts say the numbers highlight just how concentrated the threat has become in these border regions, and why military operations there are unlikely to slow down anytime soon.